Portrait study done in watercolor, pen & oil pastel on rough 100% cotton Arches paper (I'll have to adapt my way of working for this type of paper, the result colors brighter than usual and details harder to achieve).

The texture of the paper really adds to this piece and overall I think this is quite gentle. I never would have noticed that the colors are brighter, even with you pointing it out they don't appear that way to me but maybe it's just the colors you used in this piece?

Thank you for your comment I used relatively bright colors, but generally on a cotton paper watercolor appears much brighter than on other types of paper, I am used to work with smooth ligher one on which I work in thin layers to achieve mid-bold colors. On this one I need to apply more paint (because the surface is rough and thirsty) in two layers to achieve the same intensity, I noticed.

Yesterday I went shopping for a watercolor paper and bought about 6 new types I haven't painted on yet, I'm so eager to compare them!

Extraordinary gentleness and compassion...This painting, it's pure emotion...I love it...beautiful work!!!(just little remark: the hand(bottom right) deserved more from fineness. Its just my opinion, this have not importance)